SAN JOSE, Calif., May 23, 2000 - Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced a new Cisco Powered Network program designation for the unified communications market. The new designation-- Cisco Powered Network-Unified Communications Solutions (CPN-UCS)-- allows service providers targeting the unified communications market, to deliver differentiated service offerings to their customers by creating a high performance, reliable and secure integrated technology infrastructure. Cisco today also announced iBasis as the first service provider to have received the new Cisco Powered Network program designation.
Launched in 1997, the Cisco Powered Network program has evolved to become one of Cisco's key service provider partnering initiatives. The new CPN-UCS designation supports Cisco's Internet Communications Software Group's (ICSG) products and initiatives (see related news announcement today-Cisco Unveils New Internet Communications Software Group). The CPN-UCS designation also shows Cisco's continued commitment to the ASP ecosystem, as part of the Cisco Hosted Applications Initiative.
"By extending the Cisco Powered Network program to the unified communications market, Cisco is raising the bar for the delivery of quality hosted applications services and providing end customers with access to reliable, highly scalable, and faster time to deploy enhanced customer services," said Eugene Lee, vice president of marketing for Cisco's Internet Communications Software Group. "We are creating an end-to-end, service-driven model that allows unified communications service providers to deliver best in class solutions to market."
Cisco Powered Network-Unified Communications Solutions Designation
In order to qualify for the Cisco Powered Network-Unified Communications Software designation, the service provider's UC offering must include end-to-end Cisco infrastructure-based data center and connectivity services, Cisco Voice over IP (VoIP) architecture and Cisco's uOne, unified communications software platform. Customers may own any or all components of the service network or the uOne platform directly, or may outsource to other qualifying service providers or ASPs.
CPN-UCS candidates include: ASPs -- organizations that offer shared use software applications to their customers; NSPs - CLEC, ILEC, Cable Operators, IXCs and other organizations who host the software application and/or provide the network infrastructure to deliver voice/data transport through Cisco equipment; and Virtual Service Providers (VSPs) -- a new class of service providers that do not necessarily own any network or software assets. A VSP serves as the customer-facing service provider to a large customer base while outsourcing network and application services to ASPs or NSPs.
iBasis is the first service provider to receive the CPN-UCS designation. iBasis, a global IP-based communications service provider, has integrated Cisco's uOne platform as part of a comprehensive, hosted unified communications solution for service providers. Unified Communications from iBasis enables service providers to quickly deliver new, enhanced services that generate more revenue and increase customer loyalty. iBasis is expanding its global network, already the world's largest international Cisco Powered Network for Internet telephony, by deploying new points of presence, operational support services and Cisco hardware and software to deliver uOne advanced capabilities as a hosted solution for service providers worldwide.
Cisco Powered Network designated service providers are committed to maintaining high levels of network quality by building their services with Cisco solutions and will then be authorized to use the Cisco Powered Network brand logo and will have access to joint marketing programs and promotions.
Cisco Powered Network services give customers all the benefits of an end-to-end network; simplified, cost-effective network management; higher network availability; more reliable, scalable and secure services; and faster deployment of new world network services. Currently, there are 300 large service providers around the world that are members of the Cisco Powered Network program. Situated in more than 34 countries, program members offer a wide range of Cisco-based services for businesses of all sizes.
